Last month we addressed the issue of stress and looked at some ways to help manage it. This month we will talk about anxiety and some basic symptoms to look for. Also, towards the middle of the month I’ll offer parents some suggestions on what to do to help your sons/daughters or even yourself with anxiety. 

Nervousness and anxiety are normal and most students are likely to experience anxiety at the beginning of the school year or even before each test or project. Anxiety becomes a problem when you experience persistent and excessive nervousness that interferes with everyday activities. For students, excessive anxiety can interfere with academic, behavioral, emotional and social development. One example of severe anxiety is when a student begins to experience nervousness and anxiety at the beginning of a school year and can’t seem to get over these jitters. This student may refuse to attend school or has problems staying in school. Often students may complain about feeling sick on school days or ask to stay home from school with physical complaints, such as stomachaches or headaches that are not related to a physical illness. These symptoms could point to an anxiety disorder and a proper evaluation by a doctor would need to take place in order for diagnoses to be made.